These were secured to the ship with chains and hooks, the latter being inserted through the side lights in her sheer strake.

Early in the following summer everything was ready.

The air-tanks were prepared and rafted together.
Powerful screws were attached to each chain, with hand-pumps for emptying the tanks, together with a steam tender fitted with cooking appliances, berths and stores, for all hands engaged in the enterprise.
We succeeded in attaching the hooks and chains by means of divers; the chains being ready coiled on deck.

But the weather, which before seemed to be settled, now gave way.

No sooner had we got the pair of big tanks secured to the after body, than a fierce north-north-easterly gale set in, and we had to run for it, leaving the tanks partly filled, in order to lessen the strain on everything.
When the gale had settled, we returned again, and found that no harm had been done.